<p>I keep hearing talk of the USMLE and its importance in applying to elite residency programs. Is this test similar to the MCAT in terms of determining where you will ultimatly wind up training? What is the highest a person can get on this test, and what is the average score?</p>
<p>The MCAT is nothing compared to the USMLE...you have been warned.</p>
<p>See <a href="http://www.usmle.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.usmle.org/</a></p>
<p>Descriptions
[quote]
Step 1 assesses whether you understand and can apply important concepts of the sciences basic to the practice of medicine, with special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease, and modes of therapy. Step 1 ensures mastery of not only the sciences that provide a foundation for the safe and competent practice of medicine in the present, but also the scientific principles required for maintenance of competence through lifelong learning.</p>
<p>Step 2 assesses whether you can apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision and includes emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. Step 2 ensures that due attention is devoted to principles of clinical sciences and basic patient-centered skills that provide the foundation for the safe and competent practice of medicine.</p>
<p>Step 3 assesses whether you can apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine, with emphasis on patient management in ambulatory settings. Step 3 provides a final assessment of physicians assuming independent responsibility for delivering general medical care.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>2005 Pass rate date by examinee type: <a href="http://www.usmle.org/scores/2005perf.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.usmle.org/scores/2005perf.htm</a></p>
<p>It's not very hard to pass the USMLE. To get into top residencies, you'll need top USMLE scores. Every med school will tell you they have above average USMLE scores.</p>
<p>The maximum score in theory is 300. Most years, the top score in the country does not break 270. The national average is 217 or so. Passing is approximately 187, if I remember correctly. Some med schools beat this average by as much as 20 points. Some very prestigious schools have surprisingly low Step I scores. Generally moderately tough residencies (either prestigious residencies in low-key fields or moderate residencies in tough fields) recommend you push yourself for a 235.</p>
<p>The MCAT is strongly correlated with your USMLE score. Kids on this board often seem to think that means you can use the MCAT to generate a "predicted" USMLE score, which is NOT what a correlation means.</p>
<p>Among US medical students, pass rates are very similar for step 1, 2, and 3, but the difficulty of the exams is not. Step 1 is the most difficult and requires substantial study; Step 2 is fairly straightforward and should not be difficult for English speaking students who were diligent in their clerkships; Step 3 is straightforward for any half-decent, half-rested intern.</p>
<p>As previously suggested, the correlation between MCAT and USMLE scores likely indicates the ability to study effectively and to master material.</p>
<p>I honestly don't know why people are worrying about this now. I'm currently applying to medical school, and let me tell you, USMLE is like a distant cloud far away on the horizon. There's really no point thinking about it now - first, you've got to make it through college and into medical school.</p>